Astro Travellers & DJ Katch (Resin Dogs) [FRIDAY – 10.07.2015]

Brisbane hip-hop/jazz crew Astro Travellers are set to embark on a tour around the country in support of their debut EP “Seven Metaphors” following the successful release of their debut single “My Whole Life b/w Future Supanova” to 7-inch vinyl. Having won over Brisbane crowds with their soulful future beat sounds, Astro are bringing the so-far unheralded music of Brisbane to a national stage, with “Seven Metaphors” in tow.

Since its humble beginnings in 2013, the 7 piece live hip hop act has acquired an eclectic mix members from diverse musical backgrounds and collectively developed a signature sound consisting of fast-paced rhymes courtesy of emcees Rui Da Cruz and ALI the GREAT, future soul vocals from newest addition Tiana Khasi, and cosmic beats delivered by the finest rhythm section Brisbane has to offer.

“When I first heard Astro live I was drawn to the sound. Their American Hip Hop influence is respectful of the roots of the music and refreshing in the Australian scene. Unapologetically gangster, spacier than The TARDIS, old school and familiar. I love it.” .”
- YUMO

“Seven Metaphors” EP marks Astro Travellers’ opening statement as a band. Combining off-the-cuff studio freestyles with compositions that have been lovingly crafted both in the rehearsal room and on stage. For the first time, the combination of Astro Travellers’ live instrumentation, rap and voice blend together seamlessly on the record.

“It’s been a long journey but an exciting one producing this album. Although we’ve had prior online releases we are all enthusiastic about releasing a product that finally represents the music we aim to create. ”
- Astro Travellers bassist Sam Maguire.

“Seven Metaphors” shows in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast throughout June and July.Helping them along the way will be special guest DJ Katch (Resin Dogs) along with local acts plucked straight from the
underground, including Melbourne soul/hip-hop merchants 30/70, Canberra electronic duo Parks and Melbourne beatmaker Walla C.

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ASTRO TRAVELLERS //

Since its humble beginnings in 2013, 7 piece live hip hop act Astro travellers has acquired an eclectic mix members from diverse musical backgrounds and collectively developed a signature sound consisting of fast-paced rhymes courtesy of emcees Rui Da Cruz and ALI the GREAT, future soul vocals from newest addition Tiana Khasi, and cosmic beats delivered by the finest rhythm section Brisbane has to offer.

Astro Travellers independently released their debut single on 7″ vinyl in November 2014, and are about to embark on a tour of Australia’s East Coast in June/July 2015, in support of the release of their debut EP “Seven Metaphors”. “Seven Metaphors” EP marks Astro Travellers’ opening statement as a band. Combining off-the-cuff studio freestyles with compositions that have been lovingly crafted both in the rehearsal room and on stage. For the first time, the combination of Astro Travellers’ live instrumentation, rap and voice blend together seamlessly on the record.

Notable achievements from the band’s career so far include: supporting Detroit-based MC Guilty Simpson and Sydney producer/DJ Katalyst on the Brisbane leg of their 2014 Australian tour; recording as part of the 2014 IMP Labs 100 Songs Project, and having the track “Future Supernova” included on a 10-track compilation of recordings specially selected from the project; supporting local heroes Laneous And The Family Yah as part of their Pink Dove Show IV tour; and performing at numerous festival events including Jungle Love, The Big Chill, Sausage & Breadlam (Bedlam Records’ Australia Day Party) and Let It Whip.

DJ KATCH (RESIN DOGS) //

For the better part of two decades, Brisbane’s DJ Katch has worked as a DJ and musician. His output over that time and his dedication to hip-hop has resulted in him becoming a key figure in the Australian hip-hop community through his band Resin Dogs and label Hydrofunk.

Originally accompanying various breakdance groups in Brisbane in the mid-eighties, it wasn’t long before Katch’s mixes were in demand outside of the breakdance scene. Distinctly aware of the lack of hip-hop being played in and around Brisbane, Katch took up a weekly spot at the Brisbane community radio station 4ZzZ. It was from this point that Katch established the Phat Tapes program, a radio show dedicated to hip-hop now into its 20th year. This program was the first of its kind in Brisbane and helped to introduce audiences to hip-hop from the USA and UK, as well as offering exposure to the many underground hip-hop acts operating throughout Australia.

In 1989, Katch took part in the annual DMC championships in Queensland and for the next three years running was the Queensland champion. Retiring from the competition in 1991, Katch started up a number of hip-hop parties that year and it was these events, which would eventually lead to the formation of his label Hydrofunk. The parties were not only the first of their kind in Brisbane but also brought together the four-elements of hip-hop in a glorious celebration of sound and culture.

As the parties grew in popularity and Katch’s work as a scratch DJ was becoming more widely recognised he found himself being invited to perform and record for a number of bands including Regurgitator. Following one such invitation, he and several other musicians founded the group Elevation, which laid the roots of his current group Resin Dogs.

Throughout the mid-nineties Resin Dogs toured ceaselessly and following a number of sold out national tours, the band was signed to Virgin Records – their debut album Grand Theft Audio being released in 2000 (which is now Gold Status in OZ) saw the band play every major festival around Australia (BIG DAY OUT , Vibes on A summers Day, Splender , Homebake, Woodford, Falls festivals to name a few, for 3+ years . With the release of Hi Fidelity Dirt in 2003 which found the dogs constantly touring overseas for another 3 years at prestigious festivals, Womad ( UK), Colors of Ostriva (Chec Republic) Siget festival Hungary plus invited to play at Fabric by UKs Plump djs , Air at Rythm factory by Ali B, with there own sellout shows at Cargo have seen the dogs create a fanbase throughout the Uk Ireland and Europe.

Alongside the live performances with Resin Dogs, Katch was maintaining a number of key residencies around the country including weekly and monthly slots at venues such as Ric’s Café and Bar, Minke Bar, Funktrust and others – he has also DJed widely in the UK with slots at The Cargo Club and Blue Note (Ireland).Supports for NZs Fat Freddys Drop, Kora , Salmonella Dub ,Questlove, Nas ,Public Enemy, De la Soul, Dj krush , Jazzy Jeff, Flying Lotus, Bronx Dogs, Ztrip, Tricky, Lillyworld At BDO Dj Spooky, Ugly Duckling , Turntables on the Hudsons Nicodemus,still in demand around the country as a solo Dj and was invited to DJ the store opening in Perth & Brisbane Stores for international boutique label BALLY Joined by Dave Atkins (drummer for Resin Dogs) on several Australian DJ sets, the pair’s intuitive style led them to working together on a focused hip-hop duo called 2Dogs. This combination worked effectively and before long they had produced a series of full lengths and 12”s including Prozac Beats and D + K Sessions.

Currently working with Dave towards Resin Dogs & 2dogs material, Katch is also focusing on his upcoming various production and remix projects including numerous releases for his Hydrofunk label. Now residing in Northern NSW where he & Dave Dog are finishing off the studio, currently hosting residencies at Brisbane’s, Rumpus Room, Kerbside & LaRuche